Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 1298: Chapter 1207: Lady Chancellor 146

After a bout of violent deterrence, no one dared to ignore or delay Yin Shuangshuang’s orders anymore, though some still harbored small notions, as violence doesn’t equate to winning hearts.

Yet Yin Shuangshuang wouldn’t indulge those with little schemes, directly revoking the positions of some offending Outer Ministers and Managers, and then promoted some small officials she had long favored, who were competent but lacked background to rise.

After several such instances, no one in the Ministry of Personnel dared to hypocritically obey Yin Shuangshuang’s orders, knowing she didn’t tolerate sand in her eyes.

After enduring these few embarrassments, they came to realize that Yin Shuangshuang could see through their actions with clear insight, and their petty private moves could never be hidden from her, forcing them to be honest.

With Yin Shuangshuang’s reorganization, although not everyone was loyal, at least everyone followed orders without daring to defy them, and this was achieved.

Next came gradually ousting the remaining aristocratic family officials from the Ministry of Personnel, assisting the Emperor in fully confronting the final backlash of the aristocratic families.

From the time Yin Shuangshuang met the Emperor to restarting the reforms, to the complete replacement and cleaning of the aristocratic families, it took Yin Shuangshuang and the Emperor over ten years.

When the issue with the aristocratic families was completely resolved, Yin Shuangshuang had already been Minister of the Ministry of Personnel for three years.

By now, Yin Shuangshuang was nearly thirty years old; perhaps due to long-term absorption of Spiritual Power for health, her appearance showed almost no change, yet she remained sickly weak.

For many years, Yin Shuangshuang officiated in the Capital City, being separated from her mother Mrs. Wang and father Yin Zheng, having barely met them, and they were the ones Yin Shuangshuang felt most indebted to.

Fortunately, nowadays there was a younger brother to bring joy under the parents’ knees, allowing Yin Shuangshuang some peace of mind.

Today was Yin Shuangshuang’s big day; General An stepped down from the Prime Minister position, and Yin Shuangshuang was about to assume the role of Prime Minister.

After years of planning, finally realizing her wish overnight, Yin Shuangshuang was unsure of the feelings in her heart; there was joy, yet not quite joyful, but ultimately, Prime Minister was not her goal, but rather another starting point.

In full Prime Minister’s official attire, Yin Shuangshuang walked step by step into Jinluan Hall, with all officials on both sides bowing together, saluting this female Prime Minister who was second to none.

Standing at the forefront of the officials, leading them in saluting the Emperor, Yin Shuangshuang felt calm; on the dragon throne, the Emperor was still spirited and showed no signs of weakness, smiling broadly.

The world is united under his sole control; he achieved what the Grand Ancestor never did, paving the way for the future. In future historical records, praise for him would be inevitable, and this was his greatest pride.

On the side, the Sixth Prince who achieved significant merit in eliminating the aristocratic families had been titled Prince Jin, once seen as gentle, now a thorough cold-faced king.

No official was unaware of Prince Jin’s righteous nature, hating evil like an enemy, occupying high positions yet disliking luxury, still a workaholic and merciless, never leaving room for erring officials, and now deeply trusted by the Emperor.

After the grand audience ended, Yin Shuangshuang was the first to leave; her health was poor, and the Emperor specially decreed that Yin Shuangshuang could ride a carriage in the palace, but today Yin Shuangshuang felt much lighter, wanting to walk, so she didn’t ride.

”Greetings, Prime Minister.”

A cold greeting came beside her, and Yin Shuangshuang paused and turned; Prince Jin, in his lavish princely attire, stood beside her, his stunning countenance as if covered in ice and snow, the warmth of earlier times invisible.

Yin Shuangshuang gave a slight smile, as always gentle in demeanor: ”Greetings, Prince Jin. I wonder what Prince Jin seeks from me?”

Their location was expansive and empty, with nobody around to eavesdrop, and in Prince Jin’s eyes, there was unhideable anticipation: ”Prime Minister, I wish to know your views on the matter of succession?”

This query from Prince Jin was excessively straightforward; though he was adept at patience, after enduring for so many years, he could withstand no longer.

Over the years, Yin Shuangshuang had guided him, openly and discreetly, helping him avoid several sibling plots. Prince Jin was certain Yin Shuangshuang didn’t mind him becoming Crown Prince, so he boldly probed.

Yin Shuangshuang’s expression unchanged, she smiled lightly: ”Prince Jin, the Emperor is vigorous and healthy, capable of ruling the realm for countless more years. Such words should be spoken less by Prince Jin today.

Throughout these years, Prince Jin has performed excellently. As long as the prince’s intentions remain unchanged, avoiding missteps, eventually wishes will come true. I am not feeling well, and will not engage further with Prince Jin.”

Yin Shuangshuang gave a parting salute and turned to board her carriage. Prince Jin returned the gesture, watched Yin Shuangshuang depart, his mind deep in thought; it seemed he would have to endure a few more years.

Time swiftly passed, and fifteen years went by, the mourning bell echoed through the Capital City, announcing the Emperor’s passing, and the realm mourned. That same year, Prince Jin, who had been Crown Prince for three years, was crowned the new Emperor, ascending to the throne, proclaiming amnesty across the realm.

With the accession of a new Emperor, many were eager to rise, with officials close to Prince Jin’s faction receiving merit from assisting the new dragon, gaining promotions.

Yin Shuangshuang’s Prime Minister position was also coveted by many; during the previous Emperor’s reign, her place as Prime Minister was unshakeable, the previous Emperor never once considered dismissing her from the post.

But now things were different; the previous Emperor, who favored Yin Shuangshuang, had passed, a new Emperor ascended, and the Prime Minister position was certain to require a replacement, perhaps with the new Emperor’s confidants.

Yet to everyone’s disappointment, even with a new Emperor, Yin Shuangshuang’s position as Prime Minister became more secure, and compared to during the previous Emperor’s time, she had even greater freedom.

Founding the Observing Things Academy, research institutes, and agricultural colleges, producing a multitude of skilled talents.

Improving farming tools, constructing cement roads, abolishing the head tax, land being taxed per acre, and officials and nobles no longer enjoying tax exemption.

The new Emperor was still young, ambitious, unlike the previous Emperor whose zeal waned after eliminating the aristocratic families. Yin Shuangshuang and the new Emperor shared even more aligned concepts, making her term as Prime Minister increasingly prosperous.

Yin Shuangshuang remained steadfastly as Prime Minister for thirty years, fulfilling all she wished to accomplish.

To say that every common person could be well-fed may be a stretch, but at least Yin Shuangshuang ensured that most common people could eat well and live decently.

Thriving farms ensured people could afford meat, and numerous optimizations of grain varieties increased yield significantly, allowing every household to have grain to eat, not facing starvation.

Yin Shuangshuang felt she had no regrets in her lifetime, firmly refusing the Emperor’s retention efforts, resigning directly to retire back home, founding an academy, and beginning a life of teaching and nurturing.

Yin Shuangshuang had been the director for only a few days when the Emperor decreed her return to the Capital City, to serve as director of the Royal Academy, and Yin Shuangshuang thought, teaching and nurturing anywhere is still teaching, she did not oppose.

But after returning to the Capital City, the Emperor frequently sought Yin Shuangshuang to discuss state affairs. Though she had stepped down from the position of Prime Minister, she still retained the influence of a Prime Minister, becoming the universally acknowledged hidden Prime Minister among officials.